Metatarsalgia is sharp pain in the area of the ball of the foot, which is given its shape by the rounded ends of the metatarsal bones. The pain can feel like a person is stepping on a stone and is usually eased by sitting down and worsened by walking barefoot.
Your doctor also can refer you to a massage therapist, which may not only lead you to a qualified professional, but also help you qualify for reimbursement if your insurance policy covers massage treatments. Massage is not medicine. Itâs a complement to your doctor-prescribed arthritis treatment.
The jury is still out on vanilla oil aromatherapy for arthritis pain, but that shouldnât necessarily stop you from trying it. âRelaxation is one of the mind-body things we do to help with arthritis pain, Zashin says. In other words, what puts the mind at ease will help the body as well. Adding some bath salts with vanilla extract to your next soak is a great way to relax the mind, ease stress, and perhaps lessen joint pain.